So, I've been told as well. Never listened, but been told. [ Loki rather liked the floral notes of the liqueur. A second drink and he nodded Natasha's way. It was enjoyable. ]
Sometimes, I feel it is fine. [ He teased with a playful grin. Though using her first name was a true sign of a budding friendship and trust from him. ]
Do you usually say 'I have plenty of character on my own, thank you'? [She hazards a guess, and there's a playful hint of humor in her eyes. Likely because she mimics his accent when she says it, with a fair degree of accuracy.
Even so, she lifts her drink in a brief cheers before taking another sip herself.] I'll consider this my signature cocktail.
No, I should have, but I generally just roll my eyes and walk away. Or hex them. [ not a drop of shame in it. Though, he's lying partly. He absolutely has said that before.
Though, he gives her a look when she mimics his accent. Amused more than not.
Taking another drink before nodding.] You should! Perhaps later I will share mine.
[It's likely no surprise to him that she's undeterred by his look. Or his claim that he hexes them. She suspects it would be a more playful hex, when left to his own devices.
A brow quirks with interest when he says he'll share his own cocktail later.] So long as it's not something that will give me an Asgardian hangover. [She takes another sip of her drink and then sets it down so she can start unpacking the food.] So, are we going to waste these outfits and stay in all night?
[ He was not surprised, more amused than not. Though she was right. His hexes were often harmless. Or just amusing to him. ]
Oh, it will, but in the morning a hangover cure will be awaiting you. I already have it with me.
[ Reaching into his suit jacket and removing two strange shaped vials that were glowing an unearthly blue, and sitting them down. ] I came prepared this time. And no, I assumed we would be going out on the town, or wherever you desired.
Well, happy New Year to me. [She says it with a smile, eyeing the weirdly glowing vials when he sets them down. For the most part, Natasha subscribes to the 'magic is just science we don't understand yet' theory. But then someone will do something like casually violate the laws of physics or produce something that should by all means radioactive and she has to reconsider her theory.]
I've got a car coming in about an hour, so I'm glad you're on the same page. Grab some food, we can figure out where to go while we eat.
Something like that, yes. [ A playful smile sent her way as he sat up more to grab some of the food. After the first few times eating around her, he no longer hid how much he could eat. He was just as bad as Steve and the others on any day of the week.
As for the magic, he would argue that it can easily be explained in scientific terms, but he wouldn't explain it. ] An hour seems more than adequate, tell me, have you had any more wild adventures since last I visited?
[ The Trickster asked before starting to work on the plate before him. Loki enjoyed conversation while they eat, a side effect of growing up with feasts and banquets always happening. ]
[Natasha has noticed that he's gotten more comfortable as they've spent time together. And she's glad to see it. There's still spaces where she has to wear a mask, to lie because the truth is too hard for some people to swallow. It's exhausting. Being able to increase the number of spaces he can lower his guard even a few inches can only be a good thing.
She gets the food she wants on her plate and claims a seat at the table. There's an amused look on her face, brow arched at his question.]
Depends on how you define adventures. I got a new recruit to challenge Clint to a game of darts. It was really funny to watch.
[ There were still spots his walls would stay firmly in place. At least for a while, the betrayal of the Warriors Three and Sif still hurt. It was to really fully trust friends again. More so after losing those he considered friends for over a millennium. Only to realize they may never have been his friends in the first place.
Natasha, much like Darcy Lewis and Jane Foster, had seemed to realize one key thing. If you feed Loki, and keep him amused, he's not so bad. He was far from being the person he was before his fall, but he was slowly rebuilding.
After a few bites, he arched a brow. ]
Oh, now that sounds amusing, how did they fare against Barton? [ Clint was not someone Loki tried much to talk too, but he had been forced by Thor to apologize at least. ]
[Truth be told, Natasha hadn't really expected to find any common enjoyment with Loki. Not because he was so very different with her, but because of the similarities. They both lied so easily, too easily - and any dynamic could only truly flourish in truth. But they seem to have found a way to carve out a space where it's okay to ease up on the sleight of hand.]
Poorly. [She sounds weirdly proud when she says it. After all these years, Clint's aim is still impressive. And neither one of them are above using it as a party trick.] Any time someone challenges him, you can see the progression of regret on their face.
[ It was fair, and something that had crossed his mind as well when he first spoke to her. Still, it worked when a few walls could be let down, more so around someone whose truly seen into the dark shadows the world(s) hold.]
Now, that sounds amusing. That I wouldn't mind to see one day, not that I will, but the sentiment remains. [ He spoke after a few more bites. Messing with Barton and Selvig when he invaded was still having consequences. Ones he didn't dare try to fix. Though, he should try to unscramble Selvig's mind, but honestly? It was funny knowing he runs around with no pants.]
[She makes the point mildly. One shoulder lifts in a shrug and she takes a bite of food before she continues.]
It'd be hard work. But you could.
[Natasha doesn't expect him to make repairs there any time soon. But as always - she figures if she can't plant a seed here or there, eventually things will start to grow. Clint's keen eye extends beyond his aim. And he trusts her enough to at least hear Loki out.
But she's not sure he's ready to undertake the amount of work needed there. Maybe one day. He's certainly capable of more than even he thinks he is.]
I could, but it as you say, it will be hard work. And truly? I doubt it is worth it.
[ She was one of the few exceptions to his rule of not wanting to get to know any of Thor's friends.
He knew from his failed invasion that Barton has a good heart, picked in a split second but for the right reasons. He didn't even know how he would try to make that up. Having someone in your head controlling your moves? No. He knows that horror, and yet he inflicted it on the others. ]
Maybe one day, not today. Today's for going out and having fun. [ Pointing the fork her way. ] Supervised fun, you're in charge, but I'm sure eyes are on me anyway.
[ To be a smartass, he lifted a hand to wave at the ceiling. ] Hi, Heimdall.
Hmm. I usually find the things that are hard are the ones that are the most worth doing.
[The way she says it is judgment free. Pure observation. After defecting from the Red Room, it had taken her a while to set herself on the right course. She'd done a lot of things for the Red Room that she could never truly atone for. But there were things she could do to move in the right direction.
But as he says - that's for another day. She can't help but smirk a little when he says hi to Heimdall.]
He must see a lot of shit he'd rather not know about. [It's an interesting power to have, but at the end of the day, not one that she envies. She takes a few bites of her food, considering their options for the evening.] There's a party at a speakeasy bar I know of. Or I think I read there's a dessert buffet and drinks thing at a hotel in Manhattan.
I dare say that the forgiveness of two men who I wronged more than those whose blood I spilled might be harder said than done. Though, Foster has been pestering me to fix Selvig. I suppose I could start there.
[ He worried he might make things worse, but ignoring it further was bordering cowardice, and that would not do. His rocky road to redemption was littered with mistakes to fix, but Clint and Erik, they deserved better.
Though when she smirked at him waving to Heimdall, it made him chuckle. ] Oh, I have no doubt, but he is an honorable man. Anything he sees he keeps to himself unless he must. Norns knows, he's seen some things from me that he must never be able to unsee. But, he has also saved me a few times that same way. I don't trust him, obviously, but it's a mutual dislike. Honorable, but annoying. [ Reaching over, he took one of the chocolate covered strawberries to take a bite. They were quickly becoming his favorite. Only once he finished it, he nods. ]
Let's start with the speakeasy and see how the night takes us.
[Her brow arches when he mentions fixing Selvig. Natasha had no idea that was possible. Truth be told, part of her has been wondering if Selvig's madness has been...self imposed. That or Clint is keeping a really impressive lid on what's going on in his brain.
Then again, she can see how Selvig would be driven to chase what he saw in the tesseract while Clint would merely go 'nope, that's not for me.']
How's your teleportation these days? Because it sounds like the night should start by taking us to see Selvig.
[ Oh, it was certainly the time he spent around the tesseract. Barton was a stronger man mentally than Selvig as well. Loki should have handled this months ago, but he knew the man was pleased when his death was announced, and he didn't exactly want to cause the old man further pain.
Still, he nodded when she spoke. ]
It is more than adequate to get us both there and back. However, I should point out, the man still thinks I am dead, this could make him worse.
I'm sure I've got a disguise here that'll work for you if you can't make one of your own.
[Which she's reasonably sure he can, considering she's seen him turn himself into a perfect replica of Steve. Voice and all. It means there's more at stake here. That this might even be one of the keys Loki needs to move forward. There's a lot that goes into redemption. Doing the hard things without any recognition is one of the most important parts.]
I'll keep an eye on him to make sure it's not making things worse.
A disguise isn't the issue. It is invading his mind without the scepter. It means I need him to agree to it. Or at least be asleep. I can do it if he's asleep to not move.
[ Looking back to Natasha. The wheels turning as he slapped a hand down on the table.]
I have an idea! [ That smirk finally returning, less devious but just as amused. Reaching over to take a drink from the glass she had given him as he sat back.]
We are going to find him and trick him into thinking we are Jane and Darcy, the two he trusts most. Get him drunk enough to slip a sleeping draft into a drink and get him back to his flat. I can fix his mind there. I will bring you as well, obviously, so that you can make sure it does not go off the rails.
I've done this before, but not for these reasons. [ Yet, he didn't offer that tale. ]
[He doesn't offer the tale, and Natasha doesn't ask for it. Loki shares in his own time, and the likelihood of his stories being wildly edited decreases dramatically when they're ones he wants to be telling.
Still, there's an amused look on her face as she listens to his plan.]
You Asgardians really love a complicated plan, huh? I don't feel great lying to him about this to that extent. You can disguise yourself if you think it'll be better, but I'll make sure he's agreeable to you trying.
[ Loki often shares in his own time. She's someone he's decided to trust and she's not broke that trust so, he was enjoying having someone he could trust again.
He made a face at her response before nodding. ]
Alright, no disguises, let's go do this. You're helping convince him.
[ Throwing back the rest of the drink she'd mixed, before he stood and started to move his hands. Eyes glowing green again as he worked to get the portal open. Only a moment or so later before the green portal was open, reflecting Erik's apartment. ]
[She meets his look with an unchanged expression - a little bit amused, a little bit you know I'm right. Idly, she takes a final sip of her drink and sets it down and disappears into the kitchen.
She returns only a moment later holding a pistol, low but ready. Call her paranoid but she's not one to step through a portal without making sure she can quickly defend herself if needed.]
Ready.
[She steps through and it's like stepping through a mirror that's reflecting a different room. Her eyes sweep the area.]
[ He does know she's right, but he'd never say it out loud. That was just not his way. Keeping the portal open until she returns with the pistol. A nod given, it gave him a good idea.
Nodding as he motioned her through first, following behind, as he had to close the portal.
The apartment messy as one would expect of a half crazed brilliant scientist. The sound of something crashing from the kitchen could be heard as Erik stepped out. Looking confused the horrified. ]
Oh, not again. Thor said he was dead. [ Dr. Selvig spoke, clearly shaken, but he didn't move. Loki stepped to Natasha's side, holding his hands up. ]
I come in peace, I have come to fix what I broke in you, Dr. Selvig. [ Looking from Natasha to Selvig.] Would you feel safer if Agent Romanoff aimed her gun at me?
[ Not a great plan, but he felt it was. Long lives didn't mean anything if he got shot in the head. Selvig looked to Natasha, clearly more concerned with her words than the words of the god of lies. ]
Why did you bring him here? [ Erik didn't buy it, and was trying to pretend Loki wasn't there. Reaching for his phone to text Thor. ]
[Natasha's all business as she steps through the portal, the change in her posture evident from the relaxed way she'd been lounging in her apartment. A quick visual assessment of the apartment shows her...well, pretty much exactly what she would have expected, to be honest.
She holds one hand up, a gesture of understanding at the Doctor's protests. Only to pause and shoot Loki a withering look at his offer. Her voice is all banked amusement and disbelief.] Literally holding a gun to someone's head has never helped de-escalate a situation.
[Turning her attention to Selvig, Natasha puts her free hand on his arm, a half smile at her lips.] Dr. Selvig, I think you know me well enough to know that I wouldn't endanger you, and the fact that I came through first with a gun means that he doesn't have me here against my will. Right?
[There's a momentary pause - the text is only half typed as the doctor reluctantly looks up at Natasha. All of her long years of training mean that her response is natural, this calm reassurance reads real right down to her core. She nods her head subtly until he finds himself nodding too.]
Exactly. Look, the least he can do for you after New York is make things right in your mind. It'll make it easier for you to continue your research. Easier to sleep at night. Wouldn't that be nice? [Her hand gives the doctor's arm a gentle squeeze as he shoots a quick, nervous look at Loki before reluctantly nodding his head again.]
[ Loki shrugged when she responded. ] I didn't think it a bad idea.
[ Yet, he didn't protest this time, motioning for her to go ahead. Natasha had much more experience with mortals than he did. And, clearly, as he could see, Selvig trusted her.
He blinked a bit, clearly not expecting it to be that easy. ] Thank you, Agent Romanoff.
[ Loki spoke low to her, not using her first name for now. It was not the place for that. ]
Please take a seat, you can speak to her if you wish. This should not take long. [ Selvig still looked uncertain, but he took a seat on the nearest chair. A look to Natasha, clearly putting faith in her.
Loki stepped closer, even if enchantment was not one of his skills, he knew enough from his youth around Amara to be able to tap into the mans mind and try to find what was causing the issue. He knew the man had hit his head too, so it made no sense why he was still unwell.
Placing his index and middle fingers of both hands against Selvigs temples. That same green energy rolling from his fingers as his eyes glowed as well. ] Keep talking, it is important.
[ Loki explained, which clearly made Selvig nervous, looking to Natasha. ] He has done this before, right?
[ The Trickster didn't answer as he was busy looking in the man's mind. ]
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Sometimes, I feel it is fine. [ He teased with a playful grin. Though using her first name was a true sign of a budding friendship and trust from him. ]
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Even so, she lifts her drink in a brief cheers before taking another sip herself.] I'll consider this my signature cocktail.
I'm finally back!
Though, he gives her a look when she mimics his accent. Amused more than not.
Taking another drink before nodding.] You should! Perhaps later I will share mine.
welcome back!
A brow quirks with interest when he says he'll share his own cocktail later.] So long as it's not something that will give me an Asgardian hangover. [She takes another sip of her drink and then sets it down so she can start unpacking the food.] So, are we going to waste these outfits and stay in all night?
Thank you!
Oh, it will, but in the morning a hangover cure will be awaiting you. I already have it with me.
[ Reaching into his suit jacket and removing two strange shaped vials that were glowing an unearthly blue, and sitting them down. ] I came prepared this time. And no, I assumed we would be going out on the town, or wherever you desired.
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I've got a car coming in about an hour, so I'm glad you're on the same page. Grab some food, we can figure out where to go while we eat.
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As for the magic, he would argue that it can easily be explained in scientific terms, but he wouldn't explain it. ] An hour seems more than adequate, tell me, have you had any more wild adventures since last I visited?
[ The Trickster asked before starting to work on the plate before him. Loki enjoyed conversation while they eat, a side effect of growing up with feasts and banquets always happening. ]
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She gets the food she wants on her plate and claims a seat at the table. There's an amused look on her face, brow arched at his question.]
Depends on how you define adventures. I got a new recruit to challenge Clint to a game of darts. It was really funny to watch.
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Natasha, much like Darcy Lewis and Jane Foster, had seemed to realize one key thing. If you feed Loki, and keep him amused, he's not so bad. He was far from being the person he was before his fall, but he was slowly rebuilding.
After a few bites, he arched a brow. ]
Oh, now that sounds amusing, how did they fare against Barton? [ Clint was not someone Loki tried much to talk too, but he had been forced by Thor to apologize at least. ]
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Poorly. [She sounds weirdly proud when she says it. After all these years, Clint's aim is still impressive. And neither one of them are above using it as a party trick.] Any time someone challenges him, you can see the progression of regret on their face.
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Now, that sounds amusing. That I wouldn't mind to see one day, not that I will, but the sentiment remains. [ He spoke after a few more bites. Messing with Barton and Selvig when he invaded was still having consequences. Ones he didn't dare try to fix. Though, he should try to unscramble Selvig's mind, but honestly? It was funny knowing he runs around with no pants.]
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[She makes the point mildly. One shoulder lifts in a shrug and she takes a bite of food before she continues.]
It'd be hard work. But you could.
[Natasha doesn't expect him to make repairs there any time soon. But as always - she figures if she can't plant a seed here or there, eventually things will start to grow. Clint's keen eye extends beyond his aim. And he trusts her enough to at least hear Loki out.
But she's not sure he's ready to undertake the amount of work needed there. Maybe one day. He's certainly capable of more than even he thinks he is.]
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[ She was one of the few exceptions to his rule of not wanting to get to know any of Thor's friends.
He knew from his failed invasion that Barton has a good heart, picked in a split second but for the right reasons. He didn't even know how he would try to make that up. Having someone in your head controlling your moves? No. He knows that horror, and yet he inflicted it on the others. ]
Maybe one day, not today. Today's for going out and having fun. [ Pointing the fork her way. ] Supervised fun, you're in charge, but I'm sure eyes are on me anyway.
[ To be a smartass, he lifted a hand to wave at the ceiling. ] Hi, Heimdall.
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[The way she says it is judgment free. Pure observation. After defecting from the Red Room, it had taken her a while to set herself on the right course. She'd done a lot of things for the Red Room that she could never truly atone for. But there were things she could do to move in the right direction.
But as he says - that's for another day. She can't help but smirk a little when he says hi to Heimdall.]
He must see a lot of shit he'd rather not know about. [It's an interesting power to have, but at the end of the day, not one that she envies. She takes a few bites of her food, considering their options for the evening.] There's a party at a speakeasy bar I know of. Or I think I read there's a dessert buffet and drinks thing at a hotel in Manhattan.
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[ He worried he might make things worse, but ignoring it further was bordering cowardice, and that would not do. His rocky road to redemption was littered with mistakes to fix, but Clint and Erik, they deserved better.
Though when she smirked at him waving to Heimdall, it made him chuckle. ] Oh, I have no doubt, but he is an honorable man. Anything he sees he keeps to himself unless he must. Norns knows, he's seen some things from me that he must never be able to unsee. But, he has also saved me a few times that same way. I don't trust him, obviously, but it's a mutual dislike. Honorable, but annoying. [ Reaching over, he took one of the chocolate covered strawberries to take a bite. They were quickly becoming his favorite. Only once he finished it, he nods. ]
Let's start with the speakeasy and see how the night takes us.
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Then again, she can see how Selvig would be driven to chase what he saw in the tesseract while Clint would merely go 'nope, that's not for me.']
How's your teleportation these days? Because it sounds like the night should start by taking us to see Selvig.
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Still, he nodded when she spoke. ]
It is more than adequate to get us both there and back. However, I should point out, the man still thinks I am dead, this could make him worse.
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[Which she's reasonably sure he can, considering she's seen him turn himself into a perfect replica of Steve. Voice and all. It means there's more at stake here. That this might even be one of the keys Loki needs to move forward. There's a lot that goes into redemption. Doing the hard things without any recognition is one of the most important parts.]
I'll keep an eye on him to make sure it's not making things worse.
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[ Looking back to Natasha. The wheels turning as he slapped a hand down on the table.]
I have an idea! [ That smirk finally returning, less devious but just as amused. Reaching over to take a drink from the glass she had given him as he sat back.]
We are going to find him and trick him into thinking we are Jane and Darcy, the two he trusts most. Get him drunk enough to slip a sleeping draft into a drink and get him back to his flat. I can fix his mind there. I will bring you as well, obviously, so that you can make sure it does not go off the rails.
I've done this before, but not for these reasons. [ Yet, he didn't offer that tale. ]
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Still, there's an amused look on her face as she listens to his plan.]
You Asgardians really love a complicated plan, huh? I don't feel great lying to him about this to that extent. You can disguise yourself if you think it'll be better, but I'll make sure he's agreeable to you trying.
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He made a face at her response before nodding. ]
Alright, no disguises, let's go do this. You're helping convince him.
[ Throwing back the rest of the drink she'd mixed, before he stood and started to move his hands. Eyes glowing green again as he worked to get the portal open. Only a moment or so later before the green portal was open, reflecting Erik's apartment. ]
Ready?
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She returns only a moment later holding a pistol, low but ready. Call her paranoid but she's not one to step through a portal without making sure she can quickly defend herself if needed.]
Ready.
[She steps through and it's like stepping through a mirror that's reflecting a different room. Her eyes sweep the area.]
Dr. Selvig, are you home? It's Natasha Romanoff.
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Nodding as he motioned her through first, following behind, as he had to close the portal.
The apartment messy as one would expect of a half crazed brilliant scientist. The sound of something crashing from the kitchen could be heard as Erik stepped out. Looking confused the horrified. ]
Oh, not again. Thor said he was dead. [ Dr. Selvig spoke, clearly shaken, but he didn't move. Loki stepped to Natasha's side, holding his hands up. ]
I come in peace, I have come to fix what I broke in you, Dr. Selvig. [ Looking from Natasha to Selvig.] Would you feel safer if Agent Romanoff aimed her gun at me?
[ Not a great plan, but he felt it was. Long lives didn't mean anything if he got shot in the head. Selvig looked to Natasha, clearly more concerned with her words than the words of the god of lies. ]
Why did you bring him here? [ Erik didn't buy it, and was trying to pretend Loki wasn't there. Reaching for his phone to text Thor. ]
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She holds one hand up, a gesture of understanding at the Doctor's protests. Only to pause and shoot Loki a withering look at his offer. Her voice is all banked amusement and disbelief.] Literally holding a gun to someone's head has never helped de-escalate a situation.
[Turning her attention to Selvig, Natasha puts her free hand on his arm, a half smile at her lips.] Dr. Selvig, I think you know me well enough to know that I wouldn't endanger you, and the fact that I came through first with a gun means that he doesn't have me here against my will. Right?
[There's a momentary pause - the text is only half typed as the doctor reluctantly looks up at Natasha. All of her long years of training mean that her response is natural, this calm reassurance reads real right down to her core. She nods her head subtly until he finds himself nodding too.]
Exactly. Look, the least he can do for you after New York is make things right in your mind. It'll make it easier for you to continue your research. Easier to sleep at night. Wouldn't that be nice? [Her hand gives the doctor's arm a gentle squeeze as he shoots a quick, nervous look at Loki before reluctantly nodding his head again.]
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[ Yet, he didn't protest this time, motioning for her to go ahead. Natasha had much more experience with mortals than he did. And, clearly, as he could see, Selvig trusted her.
He blinked a bit, clearly not expecting it to be that easy. ] Thank you, Agent Romanoff.
[ Loki spoke low to her, not using her first name for now. It was not the place for that. ]
Please take a seat, you can speak to her if you wish. This should not take long. [ Selvig still looked uncertain, but he took a seat on the nearest chair. A look to Natasha, clearly putting faith in her.
Loki stepped closer, even if enchantment was not one of his skills, he knew enough from his youth around Amara to be able to tap into the mans mind and try to find what was causing the issue. He knew the man had hit his head too, so it made no sense why he was still unwell.
Placing his index and middle fingers of both hands against Selvigs temples. That same green energy rolling from his fingers as his eyes glowed as well. ] Keep talking, it is important.
[ Loki explained, which clearly made Selvig nervous, looking to Natasha. ] He has done this before, right?
[ The Trickster didn't answer as he was busy looking in the man's mind. ]
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My math in the pervious tag goofed he should have said 1,941.
math is overrated! i am willing to pretend it said that all along